Library summer reading programs kick off soon

Wednesday

May 29, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 29, 2013 at 12:26 PM

The annual summer reading program will kick off at 10:30 a.m. June 13 at the main Cleveland Memorial Library branch at 104 Howie Drive in Shelby and at 10 a.m. June 14 at Mauney Library at 100 S. Piedmont Ave. in Kings Mountain.

Aren Besson / Star intern

Dozens of costumed people participating in a zombie walk in Kings Mountain.

Swimmers moving through the waters of the city aquatics center in Shelby.

Readers, young and old, relaxing with a book at spots throughout the county.

All of those activities and more will be part of reading programs this summer in Cleveland County.

The annual summer reading program will kick off at 10:30 a.m. June 13 at the main Cleveland Memorial Library branch at 104 Howie Drive in Shelby and at 10 a.m. June 14 at Mauney Library at 100 S. Piedmont Ave. in Kings Mountain.

The statewide summer reading theme this year is “Dig Into Reading” for grades 1-5 and “Beneath the Surface” for grades 6-12. Different libraries will host different events based on that theme.

The main library branch, the Kings Mountain Mauney Library and the Spangler Library in Lawndale all have events planned during the six-week summer reading program.

“There’s a big educational gap between students who participate in summer reading and those who don’t,” said Kings Mountain Library Director Christi Connor. “The goal is to keep learning and literature skills sharp in a fun way.”

Participants at the Shelby branch’s summer reading kickoff will spend their time at the library reading at their own pace and then take part in a group program that will include gem mining and activities with the National Guard.

The Kings Mountain branch will hold a “zombie walk” during the summer, where participants will dress up as zombies in a study of recent zombie literature.

“It’s really all about participating,” said Valerie King, coordinator of children’s services at Cleveland Memorial Library. “The kickoff is open to people as young as 1 year old to senior citizens.”

Those who wish to get involved but are unable to visit the library can participate online.

Reach Aren Besson at 704-669-3338.

Want to participate?

* Visit www.ccml.org to register for the Shelby program or www.mauneylibrary.org to register for the Kings Mountain program.

* Kickoff events are set for 10:30 a.m. June 13 at Cleveland Memorial Library at 104 Howie Drive in Shelby and June 14 at 10 a.m. at Kings Mountain Mauney Library at 100 S. Piedmont Ave. in Kings Mountain.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.